Friday, December 16, 2011

Well Fed by Melissa Joulwan {paleo cookbook review & giveaway}

Earlier this week I saw a post on facebook about a new paleo cookbook called "Well Fed." The cookbook (which is available both as an e-book and a printed soft-cover) was written by Melissa Joulwan, author of the blog "The Clothes Make the Girl." I had heard of Melissa's blog before, but didn't realize she was living a paleo lifestyle. This made me excited! I contacted Melissa immediately and asked her if I could possibly have a review copy of her cookbook. Melissa's book was not only gluten free & grain free, legume free, and sugar free... Melissa's book was also dairy free! Some paleo/primal cookbooks allow dairy in their food plan, but as I'm extremely intolerant to dairy, I was thrilled to know this cookbook could indeed feed me well.

Melissa graciously sent me a digital copy of her cookbook and also offered for one of my readers to win a copy as well. (See details at the end of this post!)

I have to say, I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting with Melissa's book... but I sat down and read it completely from cover to cover. This is a BEAUTIFUL cookbook (and I think I'll be putting the soft-cover version on my Amazon wish list!)... Melissa's unique artistic talent shines through on each page through the photography, through the layout of the pictures, and through Melissa's own personal story of cooking with family and love.

You will fall in love with this cookbook. My favorite part of the cookbook is Melissa's technical explanation of how to easily prepare your foods for the whole week in a couple of hours. She shares a wonderful technique called "Hot Plates" which shows you how to make super easy combinations of your favorite proteins, vegetables, fat, and spices to create a fun & different meal each night of the week. I have already referred to her "Hot Plate" ideas for several of our weekly meals! A completely brilliant concept Melissa!

Also included in the book is a whole chapter on recipes for different sauces and seasonings, explaining if you make a few of the sauces (such as her Sunshine sauce, mint chutney, Sri Lankan Curry Sauce etc...) ahead of time, you'll always have a great condiment to really give your homemade meals a truly gourmet touch!

Throughout the book Melissa shows you how to cook and run your home kitchen as efficiently as a restaurant kitchen. She gives you really helpful tips and ideas on how to make cooking fun, innovative, and something you'll enjoy. And the bonus... every single one of these recipes will make you feel great, energetic, and absolutely well fed!

So would you like to win a digital copy of Melissa's incredible book, 'Well Fed'?

GLG Disclosure:Melissa Joulwan through her personal publishing company, "Smudge, Inc." provided me with a free digital copy of "Well Fed" for the purpose of providing a review, if I chose to do so. This is not a sponsored post and I did not receive compensation.

I just found Melissa's site last weekend through link hopping doing research on going paleo. I sooo need this book because after 2 years of traditional gluten free (packaged snacks as well as healthy food), my other intolerances seem to be making themselves known. :( So, I am going to try paleo starting in Jan, and would love my hubs to try too, but will need recipes & help as I am not the cook in the family! Contact as mjbodeau of the yahoo email

I could definitely use that Hot Plate idea! I'm not exactly known for my organization skills, especially with 3 kids under 5. Our family has been primal for about 1.5 years and I'd love to try these recipes! meghan_richey (at) hotmail (dot) com

Omg! I want this book so bad. I devoured the 30 page preview. I'm a recent college grad, starting a new job and new life in January AND Whole30! I love that Melissa's book is Whole30 approved and it would really help me out considering I've only been eating cafeteria food for four years! misscynthiabell (at) gmail (dot) com

I have been a fan/follower of "The Clothes Make the Girl" and Melissa for a few years now. She's leading a life of health, wellness, and self-discovery that I aspire to. And to top that off, she's shared amazing and delicious recipes all the while. "Well Fed" is at the top of my Christmas wish list this year! Go Melicious!! And thanks Gingerlemongirl. :)

I would love a copy of this book! The Hot Plates sound so helpful! I am a mother of two and, while I like to meal plan, I feel like I get into a rut as to what we are going to have week after week. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy! tjward01@gmail.com

I would love to win Melissa's book as I have been following her blog since June and have loved her wit, recipes, and workout stories. She makes my belly grumble and and laugh out loud at my desk. I'm also talking paleo with my parents. My mum is a chef and restaurant owner. I think Melissa's creative recipes and flavor twists are just what my mum needs to jump on the paleo bandwagon.

I tried the Paleo diet last winter and loved it, but fell off the bandwagon when I met my BF. Now both of us are looking to clean it up and this cookbook would be such an awesome tool for us!! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!!

Hi,just couple of months ago I found Melissa's blog and now the day can't go by without me visiting her blog. I love her recipes, stories and lifestyle. During the week I choose some recipes from her blog and make it over the weekend :)Yum!!! Also, just recently I found out that I am gluten intolerant and it's a real challenge in making sure that I am staying on the track. "Well Fed" would help me in coping with my gluten allergies and sticking to my paleo diet.renatusik@yahoo.com

I've been following Mel's site for a while now, & have enjoyed many of her recipes & musings. I'm allergic to a lot of foods; cannot have sugar & starchy carbs in most forms, intolerant to dairy (the list goes on, I'll stop there!), so I've found the paleo diet & her site a useful resource for recipes that I can actually use. Her book will definitely be a well-loved & used addition to my home!

I would love to have a copy of this book. I recently found out I am allergic to wheat and potatoes, so whenever I try to eat gluten free, I often can't have things due to the "potato starch" in them. I'm attempting to start making things from scratch on my own but mainly wish to turn to a more natural, healthy way of eating, and I have heard that the paleo diet is great. I can be reached at hopefulvalley@gmail.com if I am the winner!

I recently found out I am allergic to wheat and potatoes. Many gluten free products have potato starch in them, and my typical diet used to be mac and cheese, pb and j sandwiches, etc. So now I am trying to find a new style of eating! Well Fed would be a GREAT resource for me to begin with, as I have heard it is a really good diet. If I am the winner, you can reach me at hopefulvalley@gmail.com. Thanks for the chance to win!

I would love a copy of this cookbook! I can't do any grain except rice, can't eat dairy, and have a whole host of other allergies. This book could be a lifesaver! I've been interested in making the paleo switch for a while, it could help kick-start that! If I am a lucky girl and get chosen for the cookbook you can contact me at jlsaven@gmail.com

Oh wow! This cookbook sounds awesome! My nutritionist put me on the Gatherer Genotype diet, a version of a type O blood type diet. Type Os are hunter/gatherer, so the diets eliminate most grains, most dairy, a number of bean varieties, and almost all sugars. What is allowed is in very small quantities, such that it's really just easier and better to learn to do without them, so the occasional taste still keeps you in line. This book sounds like it would fall in line pretty well with my Gatherer food list.

Both my husband and I need to loose weight. My husband is having back surgery on Monday morning and needs all the good, supernutritious food that Melissa's book promotes. I also know the book includes tips on minimizing meal production time, which would be a great asset in terms of managing stress. Since my husband won't be working for awhile, getting the digital book would be wonderful!

I would love to try this cookbook! I'm dairy & gluten sensitive ... along with several other things, and I eat waaay too many gluten free grains ... been feeling the need to eat more Paleo-ish for a long time.organicfairymom at yahoo dot com

I already have this book on my Amazon wishlist. I tried the Paleo thing earlier in the year but just found myself totally unprepared for it. 3 weeks ago I picked it back up (being much wiser now!). I feel totally great and want to get my kids switched over, too. This book sounds like it will be such a help - especially the part about preparing ahead for the week.

Due to various food sensitivities and allergies within my family, as well as other neurological and behavior issues, I've been looking into diet changes. I've come across quite a few differing opinions and ideas and it's all quite overwhelming. I'd love to win and read this book and finally have a "starting point."thechattycat@gmail.com

Oh, I would so love a chance to win this book! I've been looking at a more Paleo diet now that I've been gluten free for 2 years. I downloaded the preview and I love the layout of the book. Thanks so much for this chance!

Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking alot about eating paleo. I need to reduce my dependency on sugar to give me the energy to get through my day. This cookbook sounds like the perfect place to start.

I think this book would help me out with my currently-gluten-free, minimally processed eating plan. I have a history of multiple food allergies and still struggle with some issues. I look forward to checking it out! rtaugs (at) yahoo (dot) com

I would love a copy of this book because I, like you, can't have dairy and I plan to get back off sugar after the new year. I really feel like having this cookbook would help me in my journey. Thank you for the opportunity. Danielle.Corrick at gmail.

I have a family member who has been very ill the past year due to diagnosed gluten and dairy allergies. Doctors are pretty sure he has more food allergies and we will soon begin the process of trying to determine which ones.When I first read about the paleo diet it struck me that given his food preferences and love of all things "meat",this diet would suit.A cookbook would be a great place to start .Merry Christmas! Dawn-Marie V nordlav@gmail.com

This cookbook would be great in our home, due to the fact that my husband is gluten intolerant and my daughter is dairy intolerant! I've almost forgotten how to cook since we've had to make so many changes. I feel like we're stuck in a rut!ekdoran at fastmail dot us

We could really use this book! I try to eat healthy but am losing interest in what I've been cooking for the family. A couple of us suffer from serious health issues and really need to be "Well Fed"! Between rounds of chemo, fibromyalgia, arthritis, high blood pressure and side effects from a derivative of sickle cell trait, we are a mess! rosyposy82@hotmail.com

I would love to win a copy of this book! I've recently been trying to go the paleo way of eating to help my multiple sclerosis. I'm most fascinated with how to prepare foods for the whole week in a couple of hours; it would certainly help me with my disease since being on my feet for any length of time causes severe pain.

Hi Carrie, I went gluten and dairy free 6 years ago, my children shortly followed suit and now my husband is making the transtion however I believe grains in general to to root of many of our health issues. I'm very interested in learning more about this way of eating, but having already cut so much out our diets. I have tested the Paleo diet but feel constantly hungry which makes me think I'm not doing it right. This book might be just what I need to embark successfully on this diet. Thanks for the chance.

Making meals is really tough in my house. My food sensitivities cause me to not want to eat sometimes. My stomach hurts too much if I do. I have been searching for answers, and this cookbook sounds like an answer.Plus I like that she offers menu plans.

Been gluten free for years as you know and while I don't currently eat paleo I have been looking at it a lot recently and want to head in that direction or something similar so a book like this would give me a starting point.

My husband is a diabetic and looking to lose weight which he's been able to do by eating Paleo. This would be such a wonderful option for me because -- guess what? -- he loves sauces! Thank you Carrie for the chance to win this.Karen (karinne1@hotmail.com)

My daughter (2.5 years old) was just diagnosed with dairy, gluten, egg and peanut allergies and I'm SO excited to have found your website!! I tried to bake cookies today that were a giant fail (and I'm an excellent cook so it was particularly frustrating!) and I can't wait to read more and get some help! Thanks for having this give away! Being a toddler is hard enough without having extensive food allergies to deal with! Megan (megan.raymont@gmail.com)

I was raised by a Vegan that never taught me how to cook. My foray into cooking began via my fiance's senior dog that had allergies & was overweight. I bit the bullet & educated myself on how to feed him a raw food diet & was amazed to observe him transform. He was a large breed that lived happily until the age of 15 1/2. It was just the motivation I needed to conquer my fear of cooking. Fast forward 7 years later & I now cook daily for 2 cats, a large puppy & the two of us. It's a lot of work & I am already mostly gluten, dairy & sugar free & have been contemplating Paleo for months. Preparation is key & it looks like Melissa has laid out some great guidelines. I would love to win a digital copy to ease the transition with some recipes to help me get started! I am cosmic bubbles@yahoo.com

Thanks for this great review Carrie. Melissa is such an inpsiring person :) I've also been gluten free for almost a decade now - and I'm interested in trying a Paleo diet. This sounds like an amazing resource to learn more about the Paleo diet & meal preparation. This book goes above & beyond the typical cookbook. I'm definitely puting this on my Christmas wish list - stephc383@aol.com

Just found out I have a gluten intolerance. THe more research I do, the more I wonder if there is more to my health problems. Been very sick for 7 years & always tested negative for celiac. However, doc suggested I try it & it has helped improve my health. This would be another step in gathering info to heal. Thanks for the opportunity. Just found your site & I really love all the useful info. Thanks!s_laubach@yahoo.com

This book would be so helpful to me. My 6 year old daughter is allergic to many grains, and I have recently been told that I have an extreme allergy to wheat. I don't know how to eat or cook without it and I would like a HEALTHY way of doing that--it seems like if we are able to eat is either, expensive, processed, or gross and unhealthy. We have always had a high carb diet, so this would be a life changing opportunity with new options. bethstarr@comcast.net

Thank you for holding this contest! I would love this book - as a newlywed who is gluten-free and newly diagnosed with a Balsam of Peru allergy, navigating the waters of a paleo diet is new to me and this book would be perfect. Thanks!reneepdowdy at gmail dot com

This sounds like an AWESOME book. I am trying to go Paleo but need ideas and to make it a little easier, being the parent of two kids on the spectrum and working. I need to eat healthier and do it in a shorter time frame.Eileen eileenpeter@hotmail.com

We are neoPaleoliths, and so we're very confused as to how to fit this new diet into our very very busy week. Her ideas on how to make things ahead of time sounds so useful, I'd love to try this book out! beachmum9@yahoo.com

This book looks SO great! I am on a very strict diet (basically paleo minus the dairy) to try to help with infertility issues. I desperately need new ideas so this book would be a wonderful resource. And the recipes are already dairy free...love it!! fullmer_mary@yahoo.com

I'm really interested in the Paleo lifestyle, and would love to see how I can incorporate more of these tasty recipes into my repertoire... I'm also a sucker for great photos in cookbooks! annalab (at) gmail.com

I would love to win a copy of Melissa's Paleo cookbook as I have been hearing more and more about the Paleo diet and I find it very interesting. There seems to be a Paleo movement lately and it sounds like a step in the right direction for me.

Thanks Carrie for the giveaway and Merry Christmas! gstaylor@nbnet.nb.ca

This book is on my "Christmas money" list =) Having eaten paleo for 4 months and slipped a bit this past week as Christmas goodies abound, I'm realizing that paleo and even more specifically Whole30 is the way I *have* to eat every day. We're going to be transitioning our 9 year old (asthmatic, eczema-ridden and who catches every germ that comes around) fully to paleo over Christmas break and I'm going to need every recipe I can find for that picky little eater!

Hi there! I was diagnosed with celiac earlier this month, so I'm still kinda training myself to stay away from gluten. One thing that's made life easier is great cookbooks, like this one! I'd like to experiment more in the kitchen, to keep food exciting (and gluten free!)hippiebird@gmail.com

It would be lovely to have this cookbook because I am vegan and gluten free. I seem to be allergic to everything! Anything to give me fresh ideas is exciting because I love to cook. My husband is extremely sensitive to sugar and our goal is to cut it out of his diet almost completely in the new year. We have to prepare an extra meal for him to take to work and it can be tough making two meals and sometimes three (one for me too) every night. If I had some of those "Hot Plate" ideas under my belt it would be super helpful. Thank you for the opportunity to win a cookbook! I found your website recently and it is wonderful. Thank you for all your work :) Sincerely, Zoe zoesway@gmail.com

I would love this book because I have been experimenting with the Paleo diet for about 4 months now. I am always looking for new recipes and ideas. I am slowly transitioning to a gluten free and paleo diet. brookeLstreet@gmail.com

I haven't heard of the Paleo diet before, but I have dear friends with a gluten allergy. My youngest has a dairy allergy. I am always looking for ways to feed my loved ones tasty, healthy foods.I am also interested in eating healthily myself, so this could be a great addition to my cooking repitouire. But when it really comes down to it, I love reading cookbooks.

Hi Gingerlemongirl!For about 3 years I was experiencing horrible stomach pains. My doctors couldn't figure out what it was. They diagnosed me with IBS, so I began an IBS-friendly diet. A year later, I began a gluten-free diet. Both of these diet changes helped a lot, but I still get those stomach pains. And, it's impossible to cook for myself and for my husband in a way that satisfies both of us. I want to cook healthily, but I also want us to enjoy the food we're eating. A friend of mine suggested that we start this Paleo diet. I would love to have this cookbook so that I can be rid of stomach pains and so that my husband can be healthy! and happy :) My email address is amandat315@gmail.com.

the first time I ran across the paleo diet I was certain I could NEVER do that...but afraid I would have too...well; guess where I am now? paleo and loving it...except I'm still needing some help transitioning...(win, win? :) )

I would love to win this cookbook because I have transitioned to eating Paleo over the past couple of months. I'm already down 10 pounds! I really enjoy cooking and would appreciate new inspiration. jryalls at yahoo.com

Ten years ago I was told I had celiac spru after an endoscopy and then a blood test. I tried a GF diet for about a year and then gave up. I had to have everything shipped me except a few items I found at the local health food store. About a year ago when GF food started popping up in the local grocery stores I decided to revisit a GF healthy diet that will help my health. It has been difficult to find recipes where the outcome actually tastes good. I am excited to hear about this cook book and that I helps with leaving out other allergic ingredients as I am allergic to some nuts, soy, and honey. Thanks,Michele (thepearls@comcast.net)

Melissa's cookbook is written in such an intriguing style, you'd want to relax on the couch to read it. The photos are beautiful. I have been trying to bake/cook G F for a couple years. I'm used to eating my mistakes. But now my adult children are noticing wheat and dairy allergies, and my beautiful grandchildren are showing sighs also. I would love to win the "Well Fed" paleo cookbook, for my family's sake as well as mine. L.Hafer hafer32@hotmail.com

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!! We are a family of 7 and all but my husband are gluten intolerant (bless his heart!). Feeding my brood is a tedious procedure and having an all in one/go-to book for GF friendly meals (rather than scouring the internet and hoping for the best) would be FABULOUS!**I hope I win! :-)

I would love to win a copy of this cookbook. I am new to the Paleo diet. And I am also supposed to be on a Candida diet and a Gluten free diet. It is difficult and have not been strict with it at all. A cookbook would really help. younganne1982@msn.com

I would LOVE to own this cookbook!! We are gluten free for 14 months now, but we need to cut out other allergens... the task seems daunting because we have already cut out so much. This cookbook would be a wonderful aid & give me the confidence I need to know I could still feed my family, balanced meals minus the allergens :0).

I'm interested in this because, although I am not gluten-intolerant, I am sensitive to all of the things the the paleo diet leaves out. I eat a full whole food diet, but bodybuild, so raw eating is not practical. This would help guide me in adding variety to my stale diet. Thanks!

Hi Carrie, Just wanted to say I've gotten some great recipes off your site in the past! Thanks! I came to this particular post in a roundabout way... Melissa's book first came to my attention on DerbyLife.com, then I did a search for it and saw your review. As a newbie roller derby girl, who happens to be celiac and needs to be dairy free as well, I am excited about learning more about the paleo diet and implementing it. I want to be in the best shape I can be for our fledgling league's initial bout in March. I'd love to win a copy of the cookbook to help me along the way!

The Well-Fed Cookbook would be really helpful for me since I have food intolerances - gluten and dairy, and probably soy. I would like to lessen the severity and frequency of my gastrointestinal issues. I could also use more energy and restful sleep; eating Paleo would be beneficial for me.

HI! I would love this cookbook! I have been following your blog for quite a while now as I have been gluten and dairy free for the last 4 months. Your blog has given me so many ideas to make this type of eating easier! I love your suggestions, so if you love this cookbook, I know I will! I'm also always looking for healthy ideas for my family so this would be great to try!

This book would be amazingly helpful to my family. I have, for two weeks now, been eating a paleo diet. I am slowly converting my family and my kitchen completely. I found out I was insulin resistant, and have not looked back... Well, I have looked back, but I haven't given in. Since starting this, I have for the first time, started breathing out of my nose. I don't know if it was wheat or dairy, or both, but I was chronically congested and didn't think that would ever change. I am also cooking these meals for my father, and so this book would be great to add varity to our newly limited menu.

Recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and thinking my entire family's problem is gluten! STRONG family history of diabetes and colon cancer (mom, grandma, great grandma), so I have huge motivation to go gluten-free and paleo. I'm just at a loss of how to do so! I could use some help!duckdog_mi@yahoo.com

hi I am new to yahoo group for gluten free diet, I found this link, I like the cook book as the foods I am eating are causing me to be so sick,I need to learn to cook and eat the right foods for my health so I am looking for outlets and this cookbook is another tool that can help me. my health has gotten so bad, I have had to take Medcial time off and may have to file long term disabilityemail bghall67@aol.com

Wow, Carrie, this comes at a time when I'm thinking seriously of going paleo. Getting rid of gluten helped, but I think that there is much more I could do to feel better. So, yes, I'd love to win the book.

Oh, this sounds like the perfect book! I have been living gluten free for some time but would like a book to help me get the rest of the family on board with the Paleo livestyle. tracyleague@hotmail.com

I would love this book! I struggle to stay Paleo. And the gluten free books are not always helpful. When I am out I stay GF, DF, SF but at home I follow the paleo diet. It has cured my diabetes and my husbands high blood pressure!aj@zafo.com

Thank you for the review, I'm often suspicious that paleo cookbooks are reviewed differently because there are so very few of them out there. I plan to get this cookbook whether I win it or not but your review made it all that more intriguing. I love to cook and being paleo (two years now) adds to the challenge and keeps cooking exciting for me. I began eating paleo by choice (and, in part, b/c I was already allergic, not intolerant, to cow diary) and feel the amazing benefits (and consequences when I go off paleo). I am leaner, stronger and feel better then I ever thought possible. Thank you, Sarah McGregor - sar(dot)mcgregor(at)gmail(dot)com